Sure, Trump is itching to strike. There is no other way out of the impasse over the Strait of Hormuz. And deep inside, he knows he has caused the mess. Boots on the ground have been attempted on Easter and it terribly failed. Trump was said to have screamed for hours at his aides and actually kept in a separate room during the operation. So, no ground troops anymore.

The above meme was posted yesterday. It seems that Trump considers pushing this time the Red Button, a physical card carrying constantly updated access codes for launching a nuclear weapon.

And yet, last night he posted on Truth Social,

I have been asked by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow, in that serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond. This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN! Based on my respect for the above mentioned Leaders, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and The United States Military, that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

So, he has been asked by leaders of the Gulf monarchies. They probably have to read Trump’s tweets, too, to find out what they asked him for. TACO Tuesday?

There are a number of good reasons not to go ahead with his final attack on Iran.

First, Trump’s striking change of course on Tuesday nights—following threats of annihilation made just before the weekend—had long been interpreted as an attempt by him—or rather, by his family and friends—to line their pockets through insider trading.

Then, Gulf monarchies may actually have pointed to the simple fact that millions of pilgrims are on their way to the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina for the annual Hajj. Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on May 27. It is unthinkable what could happen if Iran’s missiles were to strike Mecca. Despite that, Iran may have made clear that the UAE’s oil port in Fujairah or its nuclear reactor in Barakah are in Iran’s crosshairs already.

Furthermore, Presidents Xi and Putin (who is on his way to Beijing), Trump’s two chosen friends, would actually not be amused by an attack, save a nuclear strike.

And finally, what would actually be achieved with a strike?

Meanwhile it is reported that Iran has sent a new proposal for peace negotiations to Islamabad. It might be a modification of the previous one which Trump found unacceptable: An end to hostilities on all fronts—especially in Lebanon—the lifting of anti-Iran sanctions, the unfreezing of Iran’s blocked assets, compensation for war damages, and recognition of Iran’s sovereign right over the Strait of Hormuz.

19 May 2026 @ 10:32 UTC+2.

Last modified May 19, 2026.